Clothing Makes the Man,
But Only if it Fits

No matter what the cost of a suit or sports coat, if it doesn’t fit properly, you’re not going to look — or feel — good in it. To make sure you’ve got a proper fit, always have a qualified tailor look it over before you purchase it.

Other tips on proper fitting are:

• Make sure your coat feels comfortable. The ease with which you put the garment on should be your first indication of how it is going to fit.
• The coat should lie smoothly across the shoulders without the collar rolling up above your neck or standing away from your body. The collar must follow the contour of the neckline.
• After buttoning the top button, look for the front of the coat to close evenly across the front of your body. At no time should the vent pull open in the back. In a non-vented coat, make sure there are no stress lines around the center part of your torso.
• The length of your coat should be long enough to cover your entire seat. Do not judge the length of a coat by cupping your fingers under the coat bottom.
• Your coat sleeves should end at the break of the wrist. For you to show shirt cuffs, shorten the sleeves by ¼ to ½ inches. This is a matter of personal preference.
• The waist of your trousers should rest on your hips. It should fit snugly against your body without feeling tight. Remember, most suits have a six-inch drop. Use good judgment when being told a pant can be altered to fit. Rule — never take more than three inches out of the waist and seat.
• Pant length is important. For the traditional look, the bottom may have a slight brake in it. European styles tend to be longer, with the bottom fuller across the shoe. Pleated pants normally have cuffs and plain bottoms are worn with flat front pants.